Foundry on First AZ Relaunching as Foundry Live

When downtown Phoenix venue Foundry on First shut its doors in mid-November, most music fans assumed the worst. Rumors spread that the music venue was done for, in the wake of canceled shows, reported employee drama, and a strange media silence.

Not so, says part-owner Tim Thomas.

"We're looking to reopen in January or February," he says, explaining that the newly re-branded venue will be called Foundry Live, feature a seven-day-a-week restaurant, new investors, a nightclub component, and a PR company brought in to handle new media.

The building closed in mid-November to finish construction, with Thomas acknowledging that the venue initially opened sooner than it should have. "This was created by local developers that had a good handle on local music and bars but really didn't have a good handle on [operating] a national, large, destination-type of venue that could carry the likes of a Jay Z, [the kind of appearance] that could really put us on the map."

The venue's July 10 opening was marked by city inspectors and a fierce haboob, but the venue seemed to get its footing over the next couple months, hosting successful shows by Molotov and Led Zeppelin 2. But it was also marred by unfinished details -- general manager Keith Jackson, who will continue on as GM when the venue reopens in 2012, described the Saturday, July 30 sold-out performance by Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers as "hellish," due to problems with the venue's air conditioning.

Thomas states that Jackson will handle the bar, staffing, and local music booking, that Danny Zelisko Presents will bring in "old-school rock 'n' roll touring acts" (Zelisko has not confirmed any shows at the venue as of yet), and that the venue will expand into club culture, booking more DJs and electronic acts. A full-service restaurant is scheduled to be included in the expanded venue, with Thomas citing the nearby (and smaller-sized) Crescent Ballroom as an example of how he would like to combine a lounge, live music, bar, and restaurant.

Thomas was tight-lipped regarding specifics but says that more information will be revealed in the following weeks. "Agreements are in place with operators, food providers, restaurateurs, and concept and design," he says. "As far as the date construction starts and finishes, that's a little bit gray."

Thomas and Jackson both acknowledge that the venue's silence since closing doors led to speculation and rumors, and though they declined to discuss specifics of staffing, Thomas states: "I know [everyone] wants to get back to work, even if it's once or twice a week."

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Don't bring in the "dance club" thing!!!! Should be great venue for rock bands like the Clubhouse in Tempe. or Club 910. What we dont need is another dancy mainstream club that caters to the "Scottsdale" type. if you bring in great rodk bands with some talent and edge.... We will come. Tired of the" boring same old thing ". Bring on the something real, new and fresh. Tired of that old school rock too... Enough already!!!

So are they going to resolve the "reported employee drama" and pay their former employees?? I would never go here and spending a dime to those fucks! And neither will anyone I talk to. PAY THE MONEY YOU OWE!!

So not paying employees constitutes "reported employee drama"? The holidays are coming up; maybe I'll have some "reported employee drama" at my business so I can buy my family more stuff. That's how it works, right?

This is a nice advertising piece for the place. Why don't you write an article about how none of the former employees have been paid!! I know there are a lot of pissed off people that when the doors reopen will be first in line for their money!!!!

Phoenix, Arizona (12/13/2011) – The LOOSECANNONS BLUES BAND will perform Blues at the weekly free community concertseries put on every Sunday from 8:00 P.M. UNTIL 11:00 P.M at AMVETS Post 65,1303 W. Grant St. (13th Ave. & Grant) in beautiful DOWNTOWNPhoenix. Call (602) 257-9016 for venue information. This Sunday we will celebrate the end of theIraq War and honor the Veterans who were in that conflict with a big WelcomeHome! Donations are welcome to helpraise money to support programs which help our Veterans.

Musicians and Vocalists are welcome to sitin.

Food will be available.

The Loose Cannons Band combines Dr. Fish(Keyboards), Tom “T-Bone” Dailey (Rhythm/Lead Guitar), James Bailey (drums) andJeff Farias (Bass) and Ben Hughes (Sax) to bring the best of BLUES and R&B toPhoenix area residents. Dr. Fish is the quintessential BLUES andR&B keyboard player and needs little introduction as he has performed inthe Valley with his band for over 30 years and all over the world with LittleMilton, whom he toured with for many years. Tom “T-Bone” Dailey has played guitar in the valley and is well knownand liked. Jeff Farias plays the upright and electric bass, working, recording,and touring as a professional musician. Jeff also performs with a wide range of artists in and around theValley. Jeff has appeared on andproduced more than 30 CD’s in his music career. James Bailey has been the power behind the Cannons as its drummer for over20 years.

The Loose Cannons Blues band has performedregularly in the Phoenix area for over 20 years. They have been featured numerous times onChannel 3’s ‘Good Morning Arizona’ and have been the opening act for suchgreats as Bobby Blue Bland, Kenny Neal and Southside Johnny and the AsburyJukes! In addition to BLUES The LooseCannons also perform Rockabilly, Zydeco, Jazz, and R&B at private parties,graduations, birthdays, wakes and weddings, all over the valley.

For more information about the The LooseCannons Blues Band contact James Bailey at: (602) 405-7402 Email: loosecannonsbluesband@yahoo.comor go to www.facebook.com/pages/Loose-C...

Um I hv to only laugh at this as a former employee my checks never bounced the only drama was late check disbursement and no last check but I'm not complaing over 2 shows that equals 14hrs bartending wages.. this industry should understand paycheck is in the tips they can hv my 30dollar paycheck